Milo Topiary Tutorial
Topiaries…who doesn’t love ’em? I’m just in love with this Milo Topiary. I have a confession to make…I screwed up trying to make something different than what you’re looking at today. That’s how great things are made…NO? Well that’s how most of the projects in my house get done anyway. So…when I started out…I wanted a full ball topiary. The milo weights a lot…too much for styro-foam balls can hold. I tried several ways…and maybe…just maybe if you cut down the milo stalks it would go in a full round. I decided…when my third ball broke, midway through the process, I decided….”I can live with a half round.” Actually, I think I like it better, now that it’s done. I mostly like it better, because it’s a little more versatile. It sets on an urn…instead of rising above to create an arrangement that might be too tall for some things. It can sit directly on a table in an arrangement. Plus….it can still do anything a topiary could do. In my house, the fireplace isn’t massive….so these seem to be the perfect size for it’s stature.
Here they are next to my festive fall swag set up. Do you remember that Cotton and Burlap Wreath from last year?
Want to learn how to make these?….
Start by going and stealing borrowing some milo from a farmer near you. I really can’t tell you how much I got…just get a pretty good size pile. I didn’t get “ripe” milo…I didn’t wont it all the redish/rust color…I wanted mine mostly the green less ripe milo color. Be prepared: it’s going to have pollen, it’s gonna have bugs, and it’s gonna have dirt and the likes….you just can get around it. You can shake it lightly…but it won’t all come off for a bit. It’s kinda like a real Christmas tree, it causes a little litter. I don’t have a problem with it…but I thought I better warn you.
I left the plastic packaging on my half rounds, but it isn’t a must. On one, I started on the top, on the other I started around the bottom. I found that both ways work fine. Cut your milo off with about 3/4 of an inch extending beyond the milo seeds. Push the stalk down into the half-round. place them close enough that the seed heads are touching…but not less than 1/2″ together…or your foam will break out.
See the pollen? Just part of the process.
Continue pushing them in until you get around 1/2″ from the bottom…and place the last row in all the way around. It really is that simple. All these fall projects seem to be. But, that’s the good news for all of us….especially since they last so long.
These things look amazing on the hearth, as a table topper, and on my porch. Can you think of anything other ways this would look good?
I think this might be my favorite project thus far this year!
Love these topiaries! Beautiful idea for fall!
Thank You Frank…I’m glad you like them!
Love, love, love! I’m going to try this in some planters on my porch. Should look great with the pumpkins I’m going to get this weekend from the Punkin Ranch just down the road from me. I just love decorating for fall! Thanks!
Yay! I’m so glad you like it!
Love these..now I am new to Texas again..so what is Milo?
Very pretty and I am glad they didn’t work out to be balls..these look awesome.
tammy
Tammy…circa-1929 recently posted…Getting Creative at Home- my fave project
Tammy, milo is a grain that is generally used for cattle feed. Thank You! 😀
I love the look of this, Tammy. Gorgeous in the urns. I am sneezing just thinking about it! I wish I had a farmer to grab some from…I’d put them on the porch. I’m in Texas but in suburbia. Might have to take a drive into the country. 😉
Thanks Tina. A drive in the country is always a great way to spend time! Go get you some…and wear a dust mask! lol I’d love to see it!
Saw this first on FB, Wowzers is all I could say! It’s just beautiful!!! I had to google what Milo was, had no clue… now I’m on the hunt, this is one of my favorite fall urns to date! Thanks for the intro to suck a beautiful, plant? 😉
Laurie @ Vin’yet Etc. recently posted…Homestead tour ~ Before | Vin’yet Etc.
Awww. Thanks Laurie. It’s always fun when you can make something for free! 😀 I hope you find you some milo!
I was about to ask what milo was until I read the first comment! I do know that you have created a beautiful topiary! Thanks for the tutorial. And thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
Alli recently posted…The Day the Music Died
Thanks Alli. I enjoyed it!
Tammy, these are just gorgeous!! Love the way they look with the rest of your fall vignette!!
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living recently posted…Country Living Fair in Ohio – Part One
Thanks Jennifer! I like them too. Kinda a big part of my life.
Tammy, your topiary’s are beautiful. It may not have come out right the first time but you sure made it work in the end.
xoxo
Denyse
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint recently posted…Fall Round-up #3
Thank You Denyse. Sometimes it’s just not meant to be the first shot.
Love this, Tammy…and it makes me long for my Oklahoma farm roots! I don’t think I’ve even seen milo growing here in Washington…but I’ll continue to keep an eye out for it!
Megan @Chaos Served Daily recently posted…Better-Than-Takeout Fried Rice {and a Menu}
Thanks Megan…Yeah…they might not have it that far North.
Tammy those are stunning!!! I absolutely love how they turned out! 🙂
Vanessa
Thank you Vanessa. They were lots of fun to make. 😀
Oh my gosh, Tammy! I am in love with this! I live all around farmland and I need to find this Milo! Is is something that farmers plant? I’ve never seen it before, but love the form and color and gotta find some! Thanks for sharing something so unique!
Blessings,
Doreen
Doreen, Thank You! Yes, plant a lot of it here…I’m not sure what part of the country you live in…or if they plant it where you live. The best advice I can give you, is to take a drive in the country and see. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great week! ~Tammy
This is great! I’d like to try it, but it also inspires me to ask your advice.
I live up North(ish) and have a lot of lunaria annua in my yard, also known as “money plant”. It has the pretty silvery discs that dry and keep really well, but I haven’t done anything other than put them in a vase. Do you have any craft ideas for those?
Mary recently posted…I am Hydra
I would have to see them to really know…but they sound like they might make a gorgeous wreath!
Why didn’t I think of that?! I also loved your “well read wreath” made from old books, and was thinking of trying it. Maybe I can make one of each…
Here’s a link to what the lunaria looks like: http://photofinds.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/dried-honesty/
Mary recently posted…I am Hydra
Awesome! I would love to see that too! 😀